Delta Connection/Comair Academy

[Daydreamer]

Good afternoon, everyone:

New to this forum, would like everybody's opinions. Here is my situation. I am 33 years old. I am thinking about going to aviation career as a pilot. I have took an introductory flight. I liked it, but did not like the flight instructor because we did stall, steep turn, circle, slow flight in my very first flight.

I have passed my 1st class medical, 4 years college. Now, I am looking into flight school. I am looking into Delta Connection Academy (AKA Comair Academy). Has anyone had experience with them? is it too late for me to start?



Jeff

 

[PilotRon]

I had a friend went to Commair.. READ THERE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. He went all the way through their program. He did not get an interview, nor was he offered a flight instructor position. He said it was a Total Waste of Money.

I would suggest you check into somethere else.

 

[RFtech]

do a search under training

also check out jetcareers.com

 

[172driver]

IMO, Delta Connection Academy is the only place to be right now for low timers looking to break into the airline industry. Before the flames begin, can anyone tell me where else pilots with 1000/100 have the opportunity to interview with a top regional airline? It works for those willing to put in the effort. They are hiring 80% of the CFI's we send up there.

Most of the negatives associated with the academy are the same as any big flight school. High standards, high prices, and a fast pace cause a lot of people to leave early. Those who work for it and remain committed seem to succeed and end up as a Comair FO.

Daydreamer...why don't you go ahead and finish your Private before committing your life to this business. If you don't like slow flight, stalls, and turns around a point now, you may not like doing them every day for the next 2 years. If you commit yourself to aviation, do it because you love it, not because you think it's cool, high paying, or gets you the chicks. That wears off quickly when you realize it's not as glamorous as portrayed in the ads.

 

[Daydreamer]

Good afternoon, 172Driver:


I had to explain about introductory flight a little bit. I was a real Nrevous + Exicited about piloting for ist time of my life. However, I did not like the instructor because of showing off attitude. However, after 10 minutes, I was comfortable in the cockpit. Just did not expect a introductory in a windy day(230@35 at surface. 4500@25). Have you ever nervous about flight? I was enjoying the experience after instructor letting me landed that plane . I am thinking about going down there for tour.



Jeff

 

[bobbysamd]

Schools

Do yourself a favor. Check out the other schools in Florida as well as checking out Comair, er, Delta Connection Academy.

Two suggestions: FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach. I instructed there several years ago and can vouch for the quality. Pan Am International Flight Academy is down the road from Vero in Fort Pierce. Both would be competitors to, ah, Comair. Run board searches on both schools for more input on them than you can ever use.

Make the decision soon. You can do it at your age but it gets tougher getting to the regionals as you near forty unless you have a bunch of quals to offer. Therefore, one other idea would be Mesa Airlines Pilot Development. I worked there, too. MAPD is primarily in Farmington, New Mexico, where it is affiliated with San Juan College. It also has affiliations with Arizona State U. in Tempe and Midland College in Midland, Texas. Mesa would be competitive with Comair because its good grads can interview with Mesa Airlines for FO positions at 300 hours. The program works and you might get there faster sooner that way. A two-year degree in Aviation Technology is part of the Farmington program and is required, but you might be able to transfer credits from your four-year program to cover many of the requirements.

Sorry for your bad first flight experience. Too bad you could not have flown on a calm day.

Best of luck with your plans.

 

[StrykerFL]

Daydreamer: BEWARE!!!

I agree totally with bobbysamd about this topic. Shop all of the Florida Flight Schools before committing to one. I attended Communist Air Academy now called Delta wannbes Academy, and I will warn you now, be very skeptical about their sales pitch. If for some crazy reason you decide to attend heed my warnings:

1. If you go for the Financial Aid they offer, insist that you are able to place the money in your own account.

Why? They will put your money in their own bank account so it can build interest to their benefit. If you secure a loan for say 50K from one of the creditors, you have to pay almost $300.00 per month just to keep your balance at 50K and to keep the interest from building up. True you are not required to pay the loan off until after you finish school, but who in their right mind would let these people make interest on your money. It will take some doing but it is possible to get them to release you're loan to you. You almost have to threaten leaving to gain access to your loan. You are presented a contract at the beginning of each rating and you can pay for the individual contract. Do yourself a favor, if you go and get a loan, make sure that you have control of your money.

2. Do not complain or stand-up for yourself else you be Black-Balled.

Others as well as myself questioned some of their policies, procedures, and politics only to have it thrown back in our faces by their group leaders and management. If you do not conform to their way you are considered a complainer or troublemaker. Now I am not saying don’t follow their rules, however don’t be afraid to question anything you see that seems unfair. They are notorious for a lack of uniformity on certain policies. Of course the people on this board that work there are going to say that Comair/Delta Academy is the best thing since sliced bread, however don't believe all of the Bullsh!t hype. So what if they have a guaranteed interview. Remember you must first jump through their CFI interview before you qualify for the guaranteed airline interview of course this is only after the 800-hr dual given contract has been satisfied. True some of them are getting hired by the regionals, but what you don’t hear is that it takes most of them almost three years to get to that point. Besides there are other ways to becoming an Airline Pilot. Also remember that if and when their Regionals stop hiring you are left kinda hanging. After you complete the 800-hr dual given contract you are effectively given your walking papers, so keep this in mind.

3. If you like flying vintage Cessna and Piper aircraft this is the place for you.

Ask them about their safety record.

4. Do not take the housing offered. You can do a lot better for a lot cheaper.

I took the housing and regretted it. I moved out after a month and got my own apartment and I saved mucho dinero. It was also a lot nicer than the low rent ghetto housing they offer.

5. The Flight Operations building smells like a locker room.

6. Invest in a handheld radio.

I had three radio failures while attending.

7. You don't have to buy all of the books on their list for each rating. Look at other local pilot shops as well.

8. Pick a school where you can enjoy the career path you have chosen.

The one and only time that I have ever agreed with anything that 172driver has had to say is to go ahead and get your Private rating elsewhere. Take some time and enjoy flying on your own before you decide on going to an expensive flight school. You might like going to a small Fight School better. You will have the opportunity to fly well-maintained nicer and newer aircraft at many local FBO's for a much cheaper rate than those offered at many of the bigger pilot factories.

I work with several Instructors that attended Flight Safety and they had a lot of positive things to say about the place. Much unlike the ones I know that went to Comair Academy who had a much worse, crappier experience.

Well that’s my 2 cents. I hope that my experience will help you to make a proper and well-educated decision about where to go and how to spend your money. Search the forum, for this topic has been discussed many times. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to give Comair Academy the finger when offered the opportunity to interview for a Flight Instructor position. I work for a much better customer/employee oriented company that actually cares about its most important commodities.

Good-Luck.

 

[172driver]

You almost have to threaten leaving to gain access to your loan. You are presented a contract at the beginning of each rating and you can pay for the individual contract.

Paying each contract as you go is standard operating procedure. When the loan check comes to the school, they deduct the amount of the first contract and write you a check for the rest.

If you do not conform to their way you are considered a complainer or troublemaker.

If you are a complainer or a troublemaker, you will be considered as such, just like anywhere else in the world.

Of course the people on this board that work there are going to say that Comair/Delta Academy is the best thing since sliced bread, however don't believe all of the Bullsh!t hype.

As far as I know, none of the people on this board are part of management or admissions. There is no motivation for me to lie to people. No one said it was the best thing or that it was perfect. However, I am happy to be in the position I am in right now. None of the other schools in Florida, or anywhere else, are offering a shot at a regional job with low time. Mesa may be an exception but I never see anything about them other than from Bobby.

Remember you must first jump through their CFI interview before you qualify for the guaranteed airline interview of course this is only after the 800-hr dual given contract has been satisfied. True some of them are getting hired by the regionals, but what you don’t hear is that it takes most of them almost three years to get to that point.

Yes, just like any other school. Do you feel like they should hire every student as a CFI, Stryker? That they should give you an airline interview for nothing? Almost all of them are being hired by the regionals and three years would be the longest I've ever seen anyone stay, including student time. Most are out in two. How long do you think it will take you to get an interview at a different school?

3. If you like flying vintage Cessna and Piper aircraft this is the place for you. Ask them about their safety record.

Yes, most of the planes are old. Don't come here to fly brand new equipment, except the twins. As far as I know, CAA/DCA has never had a fatality or an injury. Sounds like pretty good safety to me.

5. The Flight Operations building smells like a locker room.

Never noticed that. It is a large, open building, with air conditioning.

Invest in a handheld radio. I had three radio failures while attending.

That's funny. I've spent 800 hrs. in their airplanes and never had one, except for one electrical failure that got to the lost comms point. The radios are all King stacks less than two years old. Pretty reliable.

I couldn’t be happier with my decision to give Comair Academy the finger when offered the opportunity to interview for a Flight Instructor position.

I'm sure it broke all of our hearts. We really need more people with your attitude teaching our students. The enthusiasm is overwhelming. Good decision to give them the finger, as I'm sure you beat them to it. I'm glad you're now at a place where they listen to your whining and rationalizing. Maybe they even give hugs to the problem children?

I'm not a sales rep. I'm not instructing here as of next month. I have no interest in whether or not new students enroll. I just want to share my experience here and let people know that the program can and does work for those willing to put in the time and effort.

I don't know Stryker but I can tell from his posts, as I'm sure you can, exactly why he didn't succeed. Take a look in the mirror before blaming the school for your problems Stryker. CAA/DCA doesn't owe you anything just because you chose to train there. The ratings, the CFI job, and the airline job must be earned, not purchased.

 

[cezzna]

I also attended the academy a long time ago, back in 93. I was happy with the training and made alot of good friends there. I would caution you that your chance of making it to a regional job through there will depend on hard work and some skill as the above mentioned. in 93 the economy was tough as it is now and they were only retaining about 20% of academy grads as CFI's. In the late 80's and late 90's they couldn't get enough people and I think they retained a much higher percentage of the grads as CFI's. So what I'm saying is your chances of getting to the regional also really depends on the economy.

When I went through I was in the middle of training when the airline started to require FO's to pay for their training. I couldn't afford the 11,000 to pay for it and ended up instructing at a school which paid twice as much as Comair pays their CFI's. Then I ended up in corporate aviation with a job paying better than regionals pay, with more time at home.

Choose a school based on what you think the training will be like, not the promises at the end. I thought the school was good and have no complaints, but in every school you will have at least 50% of the people who have problems or are just sad sacks in general. Your success depends on what YOU make of your training no matter where you go. Then keep your options open.

 

[UALBRAT]

conair academy

If you are seriously considering a career as a pilot after all of the turmoil in the aviation industry, I think you should seek psychiatric help!

 

[Daydreamer]

psychiatric help

Good morning, UALbrat:


Well, in my humble opinion, aviation industry and any other industries are going through economic down turn right now. If you think aviation industry situation is bad, please consider tele-communication or computer industry. There are as bad as aviation industry.




Jeff

 

[greyhound]

The only thing I can say about flight schools is "Don't expect the school to spoon-feed you everything you need to know. No matter where you go, "YOU" are responsible to take the initiative and learn the material. Flight instructors cannot pour their knowledge into students. Student need to understand that they can teach themselves a lot of the material, and not just rely on their instructors to teach them everything.
"Students have to study," it is disappointing when an instructor goes out of his/her way to teach a student, and then later find out that the student didn't take the time to make sure he/she understood the material. What happens next is that the student gets frustrated, thinks the instructor can't teach, pays double what it should cost, and starts complaining about the school.
This might all be avoided if the student went out on his/her own to do research, or go over the material now and then just to be sure it's in the brain.
Again, no matter where you decide to go, take the time to study on your own, it can save you time, money,and headaches because you will be prepared for the next lesson. Who knows, maybe the chief pilot of the school will notice your efforts and offer you that flight instructing position when you are done. Just because you spent thousands of dollars at the school, doesn't mean the school will hire you, especially if you are lazy, or you have a bad attitude. Flight schools are businesses,they need people who will make their school look good.

learning to fly can be fun, teaching it can be rewarding.

 

[the turtle]

think about a local FBO. All my ratings(pvt/inst/com/cfi) cost me a total of $15,500 (1999)...and this from a DC area airport. Then they hired me as a CFI. I spent a year there building time and now I fly for a regional...it's a better way to go IMHO. It seems to me that the Comair ad i see has the pix of the same graduating class for like TWO FREAKIN YEARS...wonder why?

BTW, I was 30 when i started...goodluck

 

[Daydreamer]

thanks

good morning, everyone:


Thanks to everyone's opinion. it has been great help for me personally. Once again. Thanks





Jeff

 

[fly2day]

Airman Flight School in Oklahoma offers a professional course that takes around 6 months. This is Private through CFII. Good luck!

 

[pavelump]

It seems to me that the Comair ad i see has the pix of the same graduating class for like TWO FREAKIN YEARS...wonder why?

Yeah, and what's with that one guy who looks like he's taking a sh*t?

 

[stillaboo]

Go to Mesa

I'll be #2 for Mesa Airlines Pilot Development, behind 'Bobbyamd'. Mesa just hired 50 or so of the graduates in the last month. The contract might suck, but it's a job. 0 time to the right seat of a 1900, ERJ, CRJ, or Dash 8 in 2 years. No CFI, not much in the way of politics. Managment at MPD is a former F-4 guy who doesn't do crap, a proactive recruiter at the college, and a dispatch agent who is cranky b/c she has to actually run the whole program. Be nice to her, get your rateings, move on. Piece of cake, and great training too.

If you don't want to go to a WO flight school, I'd go Flight Safety. their training is just as good, maybe better, but there's no job at the end, or even an interview. An interview these days is huge. Doubt that'll change in 2 years with 10,000 mainliners furloughed.

Commair Academy seems to have alot of haters, not many guys getting hired. ATP school sucks too. Phoenix East is a factory. You'll get the rateings, but not the training.

Don't belive the hype! Get your private first at a local FBO before you start putting up the big $ for a career after 1 flight (and a bad one too)

 

[bobbysamd]

Just a quick question . . . .

Mesa just hired 50 or so of the graduates in the last month.

Were they hired by Freedom or by regular Mesa? I realize that with the new contract all Mesa Air Group pilots are on the same list, but undoubtedly there will be some acrimony. MAPD grads going to Freedom is/was a consideration about choosing MAPD over another school.

One point about getting your Private before going to Mesa. As I was leaving there were some new students who were challenging the Private part of the course. I don't believe any of them made it. For discussion's sake I assume these folks failed the challenge fair and square (We all know how Mesa excels at making money off people.). There is a lot of Mesa LOFT philosophy to absorb in a short time for the average student. One is almost better off starting off at Mesa from zero time. I found that to be true when I was working for ERAU. Most new students who tried to test out of Riddle's Private course failed their stage check. They simply did not fly to standards.

You have a chance to interview for a CFI job with FlightSafety. At the moment there is a question as to when one would be hired. I hear there is a six-month waiting list. However, that could disappear overnight if some regional takes a few FSI instructors.

 

[EMB145XR]

I'll second the idea of getting your ratings at the local FBO or flight school. I looked into Comair, FlightSafety, Airman in Norman, Pan Am, Phoenix East, Air Desert Pacific, and with the help of an ADP instructor who told me I'd be better off doing it on my own, chose that route. I actually started out flying some of ADPs beaters, and they are just that: beaters. I did a repo for them once only to find out that the reason it was ferried was because of an engine fire. That explained all the white powder in the cowling!

I don't regret choosing a smaller school for a second. I had the same instructor for every license and rating, and my training was consistent. I finished up my ratings, built some time in anything I could touch, went to school, worked a full time job, and was hired two years later by a regional.

If you think you'll be able to do your own research and keep your own pace, think about a local flight school.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Av8rPHX]

I just recieved an ad from Delta Academy offering free airfare to FL to tour their facilities. Sounds kind of like a marketing gimmic to me.

 

[Daydreamer]

Commercial / Sales trick

Good morning:


I had those things before. That is the reason why I wait for a year and weighing everybody's opinions before I make my move



Daydreamer

 

[BankAccount=0$]

I attended the academy myself back in 99'. All I can say is that in my experience the training was top notch, on the other hand the aircraft were pretty rough. When I was there our "new" Seminoles were cast offs from Air Safety (FlightSafety's neighbor after Flight Safety sold them to Airsafety). There is a huge mindset at the academy that you should keep your mouth closed about things that are not right there or you won't get an interview. I do have about 7 friends who went through the program that are RJ drivers now though. I also have a couple of friends who did the whole program that were not hired to instruct there. All in all it's like anything else in this biz...it's a crap shoot, just get the best training you can, and all will work out in the end if you persevere, and want it bad enough.
Good luck in your career and training.........
TJ

 

[UKflyer]

Hi,

I'm thinking about going to Delta Connection Academy. I've been in touch with them asking questions, and all i can say is that they are very professional in what they do, and the information they give to people. You have to take whatever you get with a pinch of salt (like anything), but i would say that initial impressions are very good. I believe that you get what you pay for, and i think that although Delta's programs are more expensive than say your local FBO, your still getting your money's worth.

Good luck.

JB.

 

[KATL8R26L]

Sales & Flying

It is all a sales pitch in this business,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


shop around before you make a big mistake.


They will tell you what you want to hear just to sign you up,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Most guys that i know made it from the local fbos and other places, smaller schools where you get private attition when you need help.



Sales person moving mouth , sales person lying to make commission, and belive me they are in it for only the money.

so be carefull out there.

 

[bobbysamd]

A little school sales pitch advice

I'm thinking about going to Delta Connection Academy. I've been in touch with them asking questions, and all i can say is that they are very professional in what they do, and the information they give to people . . . . . but i would say that initial impressions are very good . . . . .

Confuscius said:

"Man with forked tongue should not kiss balloon."

. . . . if you catch my drift.

 

[Timebuilder]

I looked at a great number of Florida flight schools when I was deciding where to do my CFI training. Did I want to hitch my wagon to a school where I might find myself interviewing at Comair in two years? That was easy, sure I did. Did I want to pay some inflated prices and accept low pay on that chance that it would all work out? That was a bigger question.

I ended up continuing my training at my FBO near home, and instructed for a little over a year. I didn't have to move, made twice the money that CAA offered, and I will upgrade to Captain soon. No one is being laid off here, and my company just added another LR 55 and expects to add a GIV soon.

[Editor's note: I was laid of on May 13th, and the GV fell through, too. It was still a good experience, and I think the right decision to finish my training locally]

Did I make the right decision? Yep. Preparation meets opportunity.

One thing I can tell you about Comair Academy, they are good marketers, if nothing else. If I had been 25, I might have dived on that bait hook, line and sinker. At the time of my visit, the instructors looked to be professional pilots, while the students looked like concert trash. I understand that this has changed. Good for them. A professional outer image helps to grow a professional inner image, and the cultural shock from public high school and politically correct colleges must be enormous.

Me: I saved a ton of money, made more, and have a good job, even if my wages are low compared to other similar positions.

You: must weigh all of the variables, separate the truth (or the likely truth) from the fertilizer and make a decision. If you are currently 18, time is on your side. It WILL become harder as you move up the age scale.

Choose wisely.

 

[bobbysamd]

Professional image

At the time of my visit, the instructors looked to be professional pilots, while the students looked like concert trash. I understand that this has changed. Good for them. A professional outer image helps to grow a professional inner image . . .

As an aside, good comments in support of schools that require uniforms.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

YOU MEAN CONAIR?

YEAH. BEEN THERE. DONE THAT.

MY ADVICE? RUN LIKE THE WIND.

LETS SEE. I DID MY INSTRUMENT RATING THERE WHEN I WAS STILL YOUNG, DUMB, AND STUPID. AND LOW TIME.

$12,000 FOR AN INSTRUMENT RATING. WHOA. BAD PILOT, RIGHT?

WRONG. I UNDERFLEW THE PROGRAM BY 6 HOURS. HAD TO BURN TIME TO TAKE THE 141 RIDE. CHECK RIDE. ACED. RUNWAY 9L, WIND 350 18G26KT.

WAS THE TRAINING GOOD. YES. AIRCRAFT. OK. MAINTENCE. FAIR. (I AM A FORMER ARMY HELICOPTER MECHANIC, SO I DO KNOW SOMETHING HERE.)

YOU WILL LEARN. YOU WILL BE TAUGHT. AND YOU WILL BE SCREWED.

THEY WILL STEAL EVERY CHANCE THEY GET. $250 HERE AND THERE. AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP? HE IS THERE TO TAKE YOUR MONEY.

CHECK OUT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AVIATION PROGRAM. BEST PRICES IN THE INDUSTRY. CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT.

LIVE. LEARN. FLY. AND THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

 

[ChadCRJ]

Jet Direct Program?

Has anyone heard any word about this program an how it is going? I Know its really expensive (around 65,000) to come out with about 350 hours TT. Just haven't heard if any students are doing it or what. Any info on this program that Delta Connection has to offer would be great. Thanks

Chad

 

[172driver]

It is PFT and there is no one enrolled in it as far as I know.